Dodgers pitcher Josh Beckett has been diagnosed with nerve irritation and will not throw for four weeks.

Beckett was placed on the disabled list May 14 in part because of a sore groin, in part because of tingling and numbness in his right (pitching) hand. He met with Dr. Greg Pearl, a Dallas-based nerve specialist on Monday, who agreed with the team's diagnosis of an irritated right ulnar nerve.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said that the team hasn't discussed sending Beckett to the bullpen once he returns.

Beckett will return to the team tomorrow to continue his rehab progression.

Fife to start Saturday

Dodgers pitcher Stephen Fife will make his second straight start in place of Chris Capuano on Saturday against Atlanta.

Capuano was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday because of the left shoulder latissimus strain that caused him to miss Monday's start against the San Diego Padres.

The left-hander had an MRI exam Tuesday. After reviewing the extent of the injury, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said that Capuano was going to be questionable for Saturday's start.

"That was enough for us," Mattingly said. "Once we had that MRI it was pretty easy."